Knowledge Base: Clearing Cache in Windows

Overview

This guide provides comprehensive instructions for clearing various types of cache in Windows operating systems. Regular cache clearing helps resolve performance issues, free up disk space, and fix application errors.

Windows System Cache

Temporary Files

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
2. Type %temp% and press Enter
3. Select all files (Ctrl+A) and delete (Delete key)
4. Some files may be in use - skip these

Windows Temp Folder

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
2. Type C:\Windows\Temp and press Enter
3. Select all files and delete
4. Skip any files that are in use

Disk Cleanup Utility

1. Right-click on C: drive in File Explorer
2. Select "Properties"
3. Click "Disk Cleanup" button
4. Check boxes for: 
   • Downloaded Program Files
   • Temporary Internet Files
   • System created Windows Error Reporting
   • Windows Defender Antivirus
   • Delivery Optimization Files
   • Temporary files
   • Thumbnails

1. Click "Clean up system files" for additional options:
   • Windows Update Cleanup
   • Previous Windows installations
   • Windows Defender Antivirus
2. Click "OK" to begin cleanup

Storage Sense

Windows 10/11 only

1. Open Settings > System > Storage
2. Enable "Storage Sense"
3. Click "Configure Storage Sense or run it now"
4. Adjust settings and click "Clean now"

Browser Cache

Microsoft Edge

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
2. Select time range (e.g., "All time")
3. Check:
   • Browsing history
   • Download history
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
4. Click "Clear now"

Alternative method:

1. Click "..." menu > Settings > Privacy, search and services
2. Under "Clear browsing data", click "Choose what to clear"
3. Select options and click "Clear now"

Google Chrome

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
2. Select time range (e.g., "All time")
3. Check:
   • Browsing history
   • Download history
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
4. Click "Clear data"

Alternative method:

1. Click three-dot menu > Settings > Privacy and security
2. Click "Clear browsing data"
3. Select options and click "Clear data"

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
2. Select time range (e.g., "Everything")
3. Check:
   • Browsing & Download History
   • Cookies
   • Cache
   • Active Logins
4. Click "Clear Now"

Alternative method:

1. Click menu button > Settings > Privacy & Security
2. Under "Cookies and Site Data", click "Clear Data"
3. Select options and click "Clear"

Windows Store Cache

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter
3. A command window will appear briefly with no text
4. The Microsoft Store will open when complete

DNS Cache

1. Right-click Start button and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)"
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
3. System will display: "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache"

Icon Cache

1. Close all applications
2. Open File Explorer
3. Go to: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local
4. Enable viewing hidden files if necessary:
   • View tab > check "Hidden items"
5. Find and delete:
   • IconCache.db
   • IconCacheToDelete.db (if present)
6. Restart computer

Alternative method (Command Prompt):

1. Right-click Start button and select "Command Prompt (Admin)"
2. Type the following commands:

   cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Localdel IconCache.db /ashutdown /r /f /t 0
   

Font Cache

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
2. Type services.msc and press Enter
3. Find "Windows Font Cache Service"
4. Right-click and select "Stop"
5. Navigate to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local
6. Delete the FontCache and FontCache-System.dat files
7. Return to Services and restart "Windows Font Cache Service"
8. Restart computer

Windows Update Cache

1. Right-click Start button and select "Command Prompt (Admin)"
2. Type net stop wuauserv and press Enter
3. Type net stop bits and press Enter
4. Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
5. Delete all contents within this folder (not the folder itself)
6. Return to Command Prompt
7. Type net start wuauserv and press Enter
8. Type net start bits and press Enter

Thumbnail Cache

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
2. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer and press Enter
3. Select all thumbcache_*.db files
4. Delete them
5. Restart computer

Location Cache

1. Open Settings > Privacy > Location
2. Scroll down and click "Clear" under Location History

Microsoft Teams Cache

1. Close Microsoft Teams completely
2. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
3. Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams and press Enter
4. Delete the following folders:
   • Cache
   • blob_storage
   • databases
   • GPUCache
   • IndexedDB
   • Local Storage
   • tmp
5. Restart Teams

Office Cache

Office Document Cache

1. Close all Office applications
2. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
3. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache and press Enter
   • Note: The "16.0" may differ depending on your Office version
4. Delete all files in this folder
5. Restart Office applications

Office Upload Center Cache

1. Search for "Upload Center" in Windows search
2. Open Microsoft Office Upload Center
3. Click Settings
4. Click "Delete cached files"
5. Click "OK"

Using Task Scheduler for Automated Cleaning

1. Press Windows + R, type taskschd.msc and press Enter
2. Click "Create Basic Task"
3. Enter name (e.g., "Weekly Cache Cleanup") and description
4. Select trigger (e.g., Weekly) and configure details
5. Select "Start a program" as the action
6. Browse to your saved batch file
7. Check "Open the Properties dialog" box
8. On the General tab, check "Run with highest privileges"
9. Click "OK" to save the scheduled task

Troubleshooting

• If you cannot delete certain files, try running File Explorer as administrator
• For persistent cache issues, try performing cleanup in Safe Mode:
  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig and press Enter
  2. Go to Boot tab
  3. Check "Safe boot" and click "OK"
  4. Restart computer and perform cache clearing
  5. Return to msconfig to uncheck "Safe boot" when finished

Best Practices

• Clear system cache monthly for optimal performance
• Clear browser cache weekly for privacy and performance
• Create a schedule for regular maintenance
• Always close applications before clearing their cache
• Consider using built-in tools like Storage Sense for automated cleanup
• Run Disk Cleanup at least once per month
• Keep Windows updated to benefit from improved cache management